Like Pearls? Then You'll Love Simply Marcella

Marcella Costin enjoys everything girly and her personality radiates in her new store in downtown Lake Orion, Simply Marcella.

This new, chic feminine boutique is adorned with sparkles – from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to the coats, belts, purses and more on display – a little bit of everything shimmers. Pearl earrings, necklaces and rings are displayed throughout the boutique, along with colorful hats, fancy clutches, silk scarves, bathing suit cover-ups and even soaps. Black Tajitian pearls can also be found in glass cases covering the back wall of the store.

“I deal with really nice quality pearls,” Costin said, noting there are very few jewelry items in the store made with faux pearls.

Costin designs a majority of the products that are for sale, but there are a few items, such as the Les Cakes de Bertrand purses, that are made by other companies, but still unique to the region. The men’s line Just John is named after her husband, and her Carol Ann Collection of coats is named after her mother.

Pearls are incorporated into everything Costin designs; even the Carol Ann Collection is accented with a few pearls.

In addition to everything displayed throughout the boutique, Simply Marcella also offers custom wedding jewelry to brides, crafting unique pieces for the bride's special day, not only for the bride, but for the whole wedding party. Although there is a small corner of the store that caters to men, the majority of Simply Marcella’s products appeal to women.

In celebration of her opening, Costin is offering 34 inch strands of pearls for $34 because her new store is located at 34 S. Broadway, along with other $34 specials. Aside from her $34 opening specials, she noted that price-wise she said she beats anybody with the south sea pearls, and there is something in her store for a range of price points.

From theater teacher to savvy business owner

In her travels overseas Costin realized how inexpensive pearls were being sold for in comparison to the United States and decided that her friends and family members deserved an outlet to purchase affordable pearls. So, she started stringing pearls in her basement, lavishing those closest to her with exquisite jewelry and hosting jewelry parties.

As a teacher at the time in East China School District, the jewelry making was more a hobby, but as she crafted more pieces and with a little nudging from friends she decided to see how she fared as a businesswoman. A few years ago she opened the doors to her first official store, Simply Marcella in St. Clair.

“This has been a journey, I didn’t know it would turn into this,” Costin said. “It’s unfolded all by itself and that’s why opening this store was just the next step, the next thing we needed to do. I wanted to branch out.”

After about seven years of her business running successfully in St. Clair, Costin decided it was time to make her next move and scoped out the cozy storefront on South Broadway, right next to .

“I had an appointment at , saw this building and thought it was really cute,” Costin said.

With a short turnaround time, contractors have been able to remodel the interior to match Costin’s vision. She said she wants shopping in her store to be an experience, which is why she tries to design her business in a way that people feel like they are visiting someone’s home.

“We don’t call this shopping, we call this a Simply Marcella experience because we want this to be an experience for people,” Costin said. “We want people to come in enjoy themselves and relax without any pressure.”

One of her favorite parts of her store in St. Clair is hosting evening parties in her storefront, something she hopes to do in the future in Lake Orion.

“It’s really such a special store,” Costin said.

Members of the public are invited to the ribbon cutting ceremony, which takes place at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Simply Marcella is located at 34 S. Broadway St. in Lake Orion. It will be open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The boutique will be open seven days a week during the holidays. For more information visit www.simplymarcella.com.